In-state EDGE, a lifelong Alabama fan, details commitment to the Tide

In back-to-back days, Alabama’s coaching staff landed commitments from a pair of in-state prospects: Ba’Roc Willis and JaBarrius “Chicken” Garror . Both recruits are members of the Class of 2027, and grew up fans of the Crimson Tide.

Garror, a product of Vigor High School in Prichard, Alabama, has over two dozen offers on the table before even beginning his sophomore season. That group includes Auburn, Florida State, LSU, Michigan, Ole Miss, Oregon, Tennessee, and Texas A&M.

He spoke with BamaOnLine about why Kalen DeBoer ‘s program came out on top this week.

“I’ve been having a great relationship with the coaches. I’ve been up there a few times, and it just felt like home,” Garror said of his decision. “Every time I went up there, it was just the same thing and I felt the same feeling. I felt like it was home.”

Garror saw Alabama dip into his recruitment back on March 7, and has stepped foot on campus three times since then.

As was the case with Willis, the 6-foot-2 edge rusher wanted to focus all of his attention on his sophomore season.

“Bama is just the place, for real,” Garror said. “I’m getting it out of the way. I committed to my home already, so I can just focus and lock in for this season.”

It’s easy to see why Garror caught the attention of Bama and others last season. Garror recorded 32 total tackles, 8.5 sacks, and 7 tackles for loss in just five games (had to sit out the first five games of the year).

Outside linebackers coach Christian Robinson has been his primary recruiter from Alabama, and built trust with Garror over the past few months.

“He played a huge role,” Garror said of Robinson. “When I talked with him, he told me some stuff that made me want to commit to Alabama. Then, I just started thinking strictly about Alabama; I wasn’t thinking about other schools… it made sense what he was saying. A lot of players that play my position went to the NFL and developed. It just made sense to go to Alabama.

“He’s a great person. I think he’s a good coach,” Garror added. “I think he does a great job with his players by sending them to the NFL.”

Along with establishing a trusting relationship with Robinson, Garror will have another familiar face on campus at Alabama.

The Tide hold a commitment from 2025 offensive lineman and Garror’s former teammate, Micah DeBose .

“I think it’s going to be a lot easier for me as a freshman with him to guide me,” Garror said of DeBose. “He’s going to help me a lot. For me to be going up against him, I think that’s going to make me better.”

New EDGE commit on Bama’s program: “It’s the same old Alabama.”

Back on May 30, the new Alabama staff got to see JaBarrius Garror showcase his skill set in person. They were impressed with his camp performance, as well as his humbleness.

Garror and his coach spoke with several staff members, including Courtney Morgan and Kalen DeBoer, to inform them of the good news before it became official.

“All of them were happy. They were ready to get me committed,” Garror said. “It was a great conversation [with Coach DeBoer]. He was just telling me how he was ready, and I was telling him that I’m ready. He wants to get me back up there.”

With two and a half years to go until he gets on campus, Garror is looking forward to continuing to build upon his relationship with DeBoer.

“I think he’s a great coach. I just can’t wait to get to know him,” Garror said. “Think everything is going to come together for Alabama [with Coach DeBoer]. So, I can’t wait to see what happens.”

A visitor multiple times this year, Garror has not seen a drop-off in the quality of Alabama’s program with DeBoer at the helm.

“I think it’s the same old Alabama,” Garror said. “I think they have the same standard, just a different coach. So, I think everything is going to be the same and the same Alabama that used to dominate.”

After being offered earlier this year, Garror’s coach, Curtis Maye, informed BOL that Garror was a “lifelong Alabama fan” and that this was the offer he was waiting on. Garror himself said that his grandmother is a big fan of the Tide, and that he’s been rooting for them since he was seven years old.

Garror responded with the following when asked what it means to be committed to Alabama.

“It means a lot,” Garror said. “I watched a lot of players [from there]. For me to be able to be just like them, it’s crazy. I never saw myself in this position. It’s going to be a feeling, for real, because I always dreamed about this happening. For this to be happening in real life, it’s a dream come true.”

As for when he’ll be back on campus, Garror is not sure yet. He’s eyeing a return for the Georgia game on Sept. 28 and will be at other home games, but nothing is set in stone.

Garror also noted that, like Willis, his plan is to recruit highly sought-after Class of 2027 running back Ezavier Crowell .

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